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Leaves of Grass.
Tyrants' and priests' successes really acknowledged

anywhere, for all the ostensible appearance,

You or I walking abroad upon the earth, elated at the sight of slaves, no matter who they are,

And when all life, and all the Souls of men and women are discharged from any part of the earth.

Then shall the instinct of liberty be discharged from that part of the earth.

Then shall the infidel and the tyrant come into possession.

7. Then courage !

For till all ceases, neither must you cease.

8. I do not know what you are for, (I do not what I am for myself, nor what any thing is for,)

But I will search carefully for it in being foiled.

In defeat, poverty, imprisonment — for they too are great.

9. Did we think victory great ?

So it is — But now it seems to me, when it cannot be helped, that defeat is great.

And that death and dismay are great.

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